Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Two pioneer balloonists, Tom Gatch in 1974 and Larry Newman in the early 1990s, led widely reported stratospheric expeditions that nearly earned them a place in aviation history. They both used pressurized balloons, a dangerous and sophisticated type of aircraft, and sought the swift wind of the jet stream to carry them forward.

In the first story, a determined, self-financed and self-reliant Tom Gatch in his Light Heart tries to become the first man to conquer the Atlantic Ocean alone by balloon. Ascending under a 10-balloon cluster, he makes it halfway across before disappearing, and the Department of Defense mounts a massive but futile mid-ocean search. What happened to him? Why did he do it?

In the second story, Larry Newman leads an international crew in Earthwinds, the most expensive and heavily marketed balloon expedition ever undertaken, attempting to become the first to fly around the world non-stop. He often said that his 354-foot tall aircraft was more complicated to fly than the Space Shuttle. He makes three ascents, each with a different crew.

With amusing, anguishing and astonishing frankness, the aeronautical adventures of Light Heart and Earthwinds are presented for the first time from a true insider's perspective.

John Thaw stars in this adaptation of Michelle Magorian's novel. The outbreak of the Second World War sees nine-year-old Willie Beech (Nick Robinson) evacuated from London and billeted with crotchety widower Tom Oakley (Thaw) in the village of Little Weirwold. Willie is a sad little boy who has not had a happy or easy life, but he and Tom gradually warm to each other, and a strong friendship develops between the pair. Tom is therefore saddened and upset when Willie's mother (Annabelle Apsion) unexpectedly summons him back to the capital at the height of the Blitz.

Complete first and second series of the late 1980s drama about the lives and loves of a group of fast-living city bankers. Mirroring the bear-pit attitudes of the time, this series follows the upwardly-mobile hopefuls at London-based investment bank, Shane Longman, as they try to scramble up the corporate ladder, taking risks, eating up the pressure, and following their instincts in search of that elusive deal that will finally announce their arrival in the city. Ah, the good old days of 'greed is good'!